Defendants get five years for distributing fake money

JAKARTA (JP): Two defendants in a counterfeit money case winced on Monday after a judge sentenced them to five years each in prison for distributing Rp 80 million (US$8,421) of fake money.

"The court finds defendants Timothy Erick Yonathan, alias Temmy, 36, and Hassan Foh, 47, guilty of violating Article 245 of the Criminal Code on fake money distribution," presiding judge Manis Sudjono told a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court.

The article carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The sentence was much heavier than the two years and six months jail term demanded by prosecutor Sulaiman Hajarati.

At the hearing, Judge Manis said defendant Hassan had gone to Bogor last November and received Rp 80 million in fake money from the couple of Bunga F. Pandiangan and Rayya Farida Silaen.

"Defendant Hassan also said that he wanted to use the money to buy dollars," the judge said.

"He gave Rp 35 million to defendant Timothy, who then worked at the Pasar Baru office of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI). Of the remaining Rp 45 million in fake money, defendant Hassan used Rp 20 million to pay off his debts."

Upon leaving the courtroom, Timothy and Hassan said the police had yet to bring the cases of Rayya and her husband, Bunga, to court.

"Both 'witnesses' did not come to court to testify. They just sent written testimonies to be read by their lawyers. We are sure that they will never be brought to court," Timothy said.

"They are the ones who gave Hassan the fake money, and they are the ones who are now free. What does that tell you about the prosecutor and the judges of this case?"

At the hearing, Judge Manis said the police made the arrests of Hassan and Timothy after a creditor, whom Hassan paid in full, started to suspect the money he received from Hassan, and reported the case to the city police.

"The city police caught hold of Hassan, who later led the police to arrest Timothy," he said.

"Police found Rp 15 million in fake money at Timothy's residence in Cimanggis, Bogor, and Rp 20 million in the drawer of his work desk at BNI." (ylt)